Pitch Perfect's Rebel Wilson To Star In The Private Benjamin Remake

Four years ago it looked like the lead role in the inevitable Private Benjamin remake would be Anna Faris, but the project has evidently moved on since then and today we learn that it has chosen a new star. Rebel Wilson, who first gained notice for her supporting role in Bridesmaids back in 2011 and stole the show in 2012's Pitch Perfect, is now reportedly attached to star in the comedy reboot.

The original, directed by Howard Zieff and released in 1980, starred Goldie Hawn as a snobbish socialite who learns to live the rough life in the army, but according to The Wrap the remake will be going in a slightly different direction with the story. Wilson will be playing a redneck who teams up with a rich city girl to join the marines in an attempt to "escape their present situations." The project doesn't seem to have attracted a director just yet and the source report doesn't mention who is taking care of the screenplay, but Grey's Anatomy and Criminal Minds' Mark Gordon is on-board to produce.

This isn't the first time that Hollywood has tried to capitalize on the success of Private Benjamin, which made nearly $70 million at the box office on a $15 million budget when it was first released. In 1981, Warner Bros. Television and CBS teamed up to make a Private Benjamin television series that starred Lorn Patterson in the lead role and featured Eileen Brennan, Hal Williams, and Damita Jo Freeman repirisng their roles. The show ran from 1981 to 1983 for a total of 39 episodes.

Since breaking out, Rebel Wilson has becoming one of the most in-demand comedic actresses out there, and she has the upcoming film slate to prove it.She will next be seen on the big screen alongside Ben Stiller and an ensemble of stars in Night at the Museum 3, which will be in theaters this December, and then in 2015 she will be lending her voice to Kung Fu Panda 3, and will be reprising her Fat Amy role in Pitch Perfect 2, which she is currently filming. Perhaps her biggest most recent commitment, however, has been to her ABC television series Super Fun Night, which she both stars in and created: It has not yet been announced whether the series will be back for a second season, but if not she will certainly have more time for big screen endeavors.

Private Benjamin still seems to be very much in the earliest stages of development, so it may be a while before it actually gets its wheels on and starts moving (finding a director and a co-lead would be a big step in the right direction). In the meantime, stay tuned for more updates as they come in!